A Real 6th Century Kofun Sarcophagus In Saitama Japan – 組み合わせ式(箱式)石棺

A Real 6th Century Kofun Sarcophagus In Saitama Japan – 組み合わせ式(箱式)石棺

#sarcophagus #kofun #kofunperiod

This sarcophagus in Kawajima Saitama (埼玉県川島町) is from a nearby 6th Century kofun called Higashi Otsuka Kofun (東大塚古墳). The kofun has gradually reduced in size over time due to modern society so in 1965 it was decided to move the sarcophagus to its present location in the school carpark of Kawajima Junior High School
(川島町立川島中学校) for its protection.

It’s made of six pieces of chlorite schist combined into a coffin shape, and is 195 cm long, 56 cm wide, and 46 cm high at the front and 53 cm at the back. The floor stone and cover stone have grooves 4 cm wide and 1.5 cm deep on all four sides, and the front and back stones are designed to be inserted into the stones on the left and right.

It was excavated during the Bunka era (1804-1818) when the Shinmei Shrine sitting on top of its kofun home was was being repaired. A sword, arrowhead, and other items were excavated from inside the sarcophagus.

Location : https://maps.app.goo.gl/XyCoseoizj3NBfEE6

More info (Japanese) :
https://blog.goo.ne.jp/46-13/e/da8235c7d3ad77c1cff29bf9bb6677dd
http://kofunnomori.web.fc2.com/saitama/kawajima/otsuka_otsuka.htm

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Q: What am I watching here ?

A: You are watching footage of a “kofun/古墳” – kofun are tombs in Japan that were created during the Kofun Period (roughly between the 3rd and 7th Century AD) – this era was preceded by the Jomon and Yayoi periods, and followed by Asuka, Nara and so on. These tombs were built as burial chambers for people from Japanese imperial families and other people of higher status in society during those days. The most well-known and generally largest tombs are found around Kyoto and Osaka, but they are found all over Kansai, Kanto, Tohoku etc., and even in other parts of Japan such as Shikoku and Kyushu. Figures vary greatly, but some sources state there are over 160000 of these kofun in Japan. At times you will see haniwa on and around kofun – haniwa are terracotta figures which were made in various shapes, including being formed as people and animals.
Have a read of the the Wikipedia article for more information : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kofun

Ideally I’d like to build a kofun appreciation community of sorts, but that is just a dream right now. You can hit me up on:

https://www.facebook.com/japankofun/
https://www.instagram.com/japankofun/